Bringing Maribyrnong to life

Michael Clarke tested the ‘new green area’ with Rodney Johnstone and Littlefoot’s owner Stuart-Lucca Pope. (Nico Photography) 222672_01

Goya Dmytryshchak

Summer has arrived and people are flocking to Maribyrnong’s new outdoor parklets and outdoor dining areas, which are set to stay for up to six months.

Ballarat Street in Yarraville is abuzz with diners enjoying the ambiance created by sparkling festoon lights.

Maribyrnong mayor Michael Clarke checked out several of the new spaces, including the famous Back Ally Sally, which is even cooler now with its laneway bar and dining.

Littlefoot Bar and Kitchen in Yarraville received a helping hand from Footscray Hockey Club, with the latter providing synthetic turf for an outdoor dining area.

The club’s eastern pitch is undergoing a $1.7 million revamp and the older turf is no longer needed.

Cr Clarke tested out the new green area with Littlefoot owner Stuart-Lucca Pope and hockey club president Rodney Johnstone.

“Our club has a strong community spirit and it’s great to give back and boost businesses as they recover with restrictions lifting,” Mr Johnstone said.

“We’re a family club and Footscray is part of our family.”

Byron Street Plaza is also coming alive with a pop-up park with a difference.

Pride of our Footscray Community Bar will hold evening shows there from this Friday, with traders such as Huxtaburger, Gong Cha and Hot Star Taiwanese Restaurant serving up a storm.